Chicken Breed Focus - Cochin

[sumi]

The Cochin is one of the most popular breeds of chicken with the hobbyist in the world today. The main reason for the breed's popularity is it's exceptional temperament. Cochins are renowned for having for extremely kind and quiet dispositions. They are easily tamed and very friendly, making them one of the most popular pet breeds for children. Mature birds also do not roam much and do not fly well at all, making them easier than most breeds to confine.

The breed originated in China and was exported to Britain and America in the mid 19th century, and are one of the breeds responsible for starting “hen fever” – the national obsession for poultry that struck America and England at that time. As the breed was developing in China, particular attention was paid to the large size of the bird and it is one of the largest breeds, with roosters weighing 11 lbs and hens 9lbs. Another notable feature is the bird's plentiful feathering, that covers not only the body but its legs and feet, making an already large bird appear even larger. It comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, with many more being developed by hobbyists. They come in both standard and bantam sizes and frizzle feathered Cochins are also extremely popular.

Cochins are an extremely broody breed, are great mothers, and are often used as foster mothers for other breeds, or even turkeys and ducks. They are very cold hardy and considered a good winter layer. While the hens are good layers of large light brown eggs when they are laying, their tendency to go broody multiple times a year cuts down their total egg production. It is also used as a slow growing meat bird, and was considered one of the best breeds for making capons.

It was recognized by the APA in 1874 and is on The Livestock Conservancy's Watch list.

Details:

Breed purpose: Ornamental, Broody, Meat
Comb Type: Single, medium sized.
Broodiness: Frequent, exceptionally good mothers.
Climate Tolerance: Very cold hardy.
Weight: roosters 11 lbs, hens 8 lbs.
Egg Productivity: Fair.
Egg Size: Large
Egg Color: Brown



Rooster picture by @wildwoodcochins


Chicks, picture by @jaymeellis06


Frizzle picture by @Frizzled Pink


BYC Breed reviews:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/cochin.10843/

The General breed discussions & FAQ thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/195235/cochin-thread/0_20

The Exhibition, Genetics, & Breeding to the Standard of Perfection thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/557147/cochin-breeding-genetics-and-showing/0_20

Bantam / Bantam Frizzles Cochin Thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/647353/cochin-bantams-and-frizzle-cochin-bantams/0_20

There are numerous threads devoted to specific colors of Cochins, including the Mille Cochin thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/228613/mille-cochin-info/0_20

Calico Cochin thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/571812/calico-cochin-thread


Cochin breeders and owners, please tell us about your experiences with this breed and please show off your birds!

We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/

 

[Miss Lydia]

My love of Cochins started with this little hen, Ebby is her name Feisty is her game. She does not take anything off of the LF hens she lives with. She is 7 yrs old. I love Cochins just hatched 2 bantam cochin chicks and 3 more on the way. Thank you for this profile of Cochins.

 

[TwoCrows]

My love of Cochins started with this little hen Ebby is her name Feisty is her game. She does not take anything off of the LF hens she lives with. She is 7 yrs old. I love Cochins just hatched 2 bantam cochin chicks and 3 more on the way. Thank you for this profile of Cochins.

Aww....she is adorable! She sure looks healthy for 7 years old! Must be all the lovin' you are giving her!

 

[Kelsie2290]

My love of Cochins started with this little hen Ebby is her name Feisty is her game. She does not take anything off of the LF hens she lives with. She is 7 yrs old. I love Cochins just hatched 2 bantam cochin chicks and 3 more on the way. Thank you for this profile of Cochins.

She is beautiful, a blue frizzle, just perfect, and she looks wonderful for a seven year old. Congratulations on your successful hatch, good luck with the rest of the eggs! They are a neat breed, great pet temperaments, come in such gorgeous colors, and can't go wrong with them if you like a lot of feathers or want a great broody.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Aww....she is adorable! She sure looks healthy for 7 years old! Must be all the lovin' you are giving her!

She is beautiful, a blue frizzle, just perfect, and she looks wonderful for a seven year old.
Congratulations on your successful hatch, good luck with the rest of the eggs!
They are a neat breed, great pet temperaments, come in such gorgeous colors, and can't go wrong with them if you like a lot of feathers or want a great broody.

Thank you both she is such a delight . we always joke and say we can tell if she's coming or going. She was a great mama too.

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Cochins are great!

These are my two girls (though I lost the blue one a few months ago), and I've had no bad experiences with them. They are adorable, sweet, and make perfect little petting zoo chickens. Whenever we get asked to put on a petting zoo, I ALWAYS bring my Cochin.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Cochins are great!

These are my two girls (though I lost the blue one a few months ago), and I've had no bad experiences with them. They are adorable, sweet, and make perfect little petting zoo chickens. Whenever we get asked to put on a petting zoo, I ALWAYS bring my Cochin.

They are beautiful, and sorry you lost the blue one she was gorgeous.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

I had a Cochin hen wants and she was the cutest thing ever! So many adorable Cochin pictures!

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Quote: Thank you! Yes, I was very disappointed. I only had her for a few months, but she was a great little bird.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What lovely pictures so far!

Cochins were among the first birds I ever had (many moons ago, lol) and are likely a large part of why I fell, and stayed, in love with chicken keeping. I've met nasty members of this breed or that - but have yet to meet a nasty cochin (though I am sure they exist.......somewhere)